2017 campaign brings in $545,724.75 for United Way of Tuscarawas County

Photo by Beverly Keller. Longtime United Way supporter and volunteer Dr. Gregg Andrews of Massillon was honored with the Vic Marsh Annual Service Award.

*This story first appeared in The Budget’s Feb. 21, 2018, Local Edition

By Beverly Keller
The Budget

An average of $24.81 was raised for each volunteer hour put in by those associated with the United Way of Tuscarawas County during 2017, bringing the grand total for the 2017 campaign to a whopping $545,724.25.

“I am honored to be a part of a community who is so caring and willing to contribute so much to help others,” explained Nichole Zesiger, 2017 campaign chair for the United Way. “Thank you to everyone who has made the United Way Campaign successful.”

The United Way of Tuscarawas County celebrated the conclusion of its 75th annual fundraising campaign at the organization’s annual awards ceremony recently at the Schoenbrunn Conference Center in New Philadelphia.

Proceeds from the United Way campaign will provide funding to 20 area health and human service programs focusing on strengthening families and children, promoting health and wellness, and reducing emergency needs. “Live United is not just a saying, it’s a way of life,” explained outgoing Board Chair Diana Boyd.

Incoming chair Paul McEwan noted he is excited to help the organization grow. “I’m thrilled to see the good organizational and financial state we are in as a group,” he said. “Our biggest challenge will be to continue to execute the vision and evolve to be the solver of community needs as a vital member of the social service circle.”

McEwan looked to the group of nearly 150 who gathered together to celebrate the past 75 years as he explained the need for accountability as he has learned it. “Accountability is doing what you said you would do how you said you would do it when you said you would it,” he said. “That is what we will strive to do.”

Robin Waltz serves as the president / CEO of United Way. She noted the importance of volunteers who have led the organization over the years as she read off a list of past board chairs, past committee chairs, past Vic Marsh service award winners and past United Way presidents. “These are the reasons we are able to serve,” she said.

Waltz noted that there were 753 emergency vouchers given in 2017, 84 of which were for rent/mortgage assistance. “Rent and utility help are the number one help request that we receive.”

She shared Tuscarawas County residents are in need. “Fifteen percent of Tuscarawas County residents live in poverty,” Waltz stated. “There are 39 percent total that live in poverty or paycheck to paycheck.”

The continued operation of Tuscarawas County’s 2-1-1 service was emphasized. “We have been doing this for seven years,” Waltz stated. “If you know of someone who needs help, they can start there first.”

Special recognition was awarded to Jeff Hootman (Zimmer Biomet) and Tim Staley (Staley Technologies) for their many years of dedication to the United Way.

The DoverPhila Federal Credit Union was recognized for their corporate sponsorship of the Color Us United 2K and the United Way Rock-N-Run 5K, Tusco Display for the Tusco Display 5K, and First National Bank of Dennison for the Day of Caring. “These events raise a lot of money for us, and they are things that these companies help to make happen,” Waltz said in praise of DoverPhila Federal Credit Union, Tusco Display and First National Bank of Dennison.

The Pioneer Award in recognition for showing commitment to the community by holding their first United Way Campaign was presented to Adventure Harley-David- son, Connolly, Hillyer and Welch Title Services, L.J. Smith, Inc., McKinnon Insurance, Park Street Pizza, and Sugarcreek Heating and Cooling.

The awards ceremony began with recognition of the volunteers serving on the 2017 campaign team. These volunteers included:

Steve Coutts, First National Bank of Dennison

Darlene Finzer, Rea & Associates

Carol Haglock, DoverPhila Federal Credit Union

Tom Hostetler, Sugarcreek Heating and Cooling

Bruce James, Union Hospital

Susan Klann, community volunteer

Sally O’Donnell, First Federal Community Bank

Cindy Laughlin, C Laughlin Grant Services LLC

Michele Lieser, McInturf Realty

Paul McEwan, Rea & Associates

Marty Merryman, community volunteer

Scott Robinson, Tuscarawas County Chamber of Commerce

Jeanne Stephen, Tuscarawas County Clerk of Courts

Elizabeth Stephenson, Tuscarawas County Court of Common Pleas

Agnes Swigart, community volunteer

Elaine Tedrow, The Commercial & Savings Bank

Andrew Wright, Hanhart Insurance Agency

A number of local companies and organizations were presented with awards for their contributions to the 2017 campaign.

Leadership Circle Awards: presented to the businesses and organizations with outstanding overall employee and corporate giving:

Allied Machine & Engineering

American Electric Power

Chase Complete Hydraulic Service

Connolly, Hillyer, and Welch Title Services

Dominion Energy Ohio

Dover Chemical

DoverPhila Federal Credit Union

Family Office Equipment

Fenton Brothers Electric Company

First Federal Community Bank

First National Bank of Dennison

Gradall

Huntington National Bank

Kennedy Insurance

Marsh Industries

McInturf Realty

Miller & Miller Insurance

Parkway Auto Group

Peoples Bank

R & J Cylinder & Machine

Rea & Associates Superior Clay

Timken

Troyer & Associates

Tusco Display

Union Hospital

Unified Bank

United Parcel Service USA Label

Zimmer Biomet

President’s Awards: presented to companies that recorded a 10 percent increase in giving:

Baltic State Bank

Big Brothers Big Sisters of East Central Ohio

DoverPhila Federal Credit Union

East Central Ohio Educational Service Center

First Federal Community Bank

Giant Eagle

Inca Presswood Pallets, Ltd.

Meteor Sealing Systems

Novogradac & Company, LLP

Personal & Family Counseling Services

Timken

Troyer & Associates

Tuscarawas Clinic for the Working Uninsured

Tuscarawas County Board of Developmental Disabilities

Tuscarawas County Clerk of Courts

Tuscarawas County Juvenile Court

Tuscarawas Valley Local Schools

Tusco Display

Union Hospital Workforce Initiative Association

Outstanding Media Contribution Awards went to The Budget, Tuscarawas Bargain Hunter, The Times-Reporter, WJER and WTUZ.

The final highlight of the awards ceremony was the presentation of the Vic Marsh Annual Service Award to Dr. Gregg L. Andrews of Massillon (formerly of New Philadelphia). This award is presented by the United Way Board of Trustees to honor outstanding commitment and dedication to the United Way of Tuscarawas County and the community.

He was introduced by Agnes Swigart, the woman who helped bring him to Tuscarawas County.

Swigart stated she was honored to work with Dr. Andrews for many years. “He had the best interests of the campus at heart, always,” Swigert said. “During his tenure, the campus more than doubled in size, as far as student enrollment. We added new associate degree programs, new baccalaureate degree programs, new master’s degree programs. A lot of construction took place on the campus, including the Performing Arts Center and the Science and Advanced Technology Center.”

Andrews has been a long-time United Way supporter and volunteer, having served as secretary, vice chair and Board Chair while also conducting annual employee campaigns. In addition to his commitment to the United Way, Andrews has been involved with numerous area boards and committees including the Tuscarawas County Chamber of Commerce, Tuscarawas County Community Improvement Corporation (CIC), the Stark/Tuscarawas Regional Workforce Investment Board, Bank One Dover Board of Directors, and Twin City Hospital Board of Directors. He was also instrumental in the Knowledge-Based Economic Development initiative, the CIC’s Tuscarawas Regional Technology Park and the Tolloty Technology Incubator.

“This is a wonderful community,” Andrews stated. “It has been truly my privilege and honor to serve the community for nearly 20 years. I’m truly humbled to be recognized and added to the list of Vic Marsh winners.”

Andrews earned an Associate of Arts and Bachelor’s Degree (Cum Laude) from Kent State University. Andrews also earned a Master’s Degree in Sociology from the University of Akron as well as a being awarded a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Sociology from Kent State University. Andrews retired from Kent State University Tuscarawas as Dean and Chief Administrative Officer in 2014.

2018 Campaign Committee

Paving the way to continue its mission in 2018, the United Way will be led by its officers including:

Board Chair: Paul McEwan, Rea & Associates

Vice Chair: Orvis Campbell, Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Office

Treasurer: Marty Merryman, community volunteer

Secretary: Gail Houglan, Allied Machine & Engineering

Immediate Past Chair: Diana Boyd, Union Hospital

The following trustees were elected for a three-year term:

Orvis Campbell, Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Office

Paul McEwan, Rea & Associates

Marty Merryman, community volunteer

Rick Andrews, Troyer & Associates

Brad Bielski, Kent State University, Tuscarawas

Larry Choitt, community volunteer

Bob Craig, Union Hospital

Chris Lane, Wendy’s

Bonnie Schrock, Andreas Furniture

Nathan Staley, Staley Technologies

Chris and Emily Lane (Wendy’s) will serve as Campaign Chairs for the 2018 campaign after assisting Zesiger this past year.

To donate, volunteer, or for more information about the organization, call the United Way of Tuscarawas County at 330-343-7772 or log onto their website at www.tuscunitedway.org.